William Pu

The Pu laboratory studies cardiovascular development and disease, with a goal of developing new therapies for pediatric heart disease. We integrate molecular biology, functional genomics, cardiac physiology, genome editing, stem cell biology, bioengineering, and to understand cardiovascular gene regulation, cell fate determination, and disease mechanisms, and to develop new therapies for cardiovascular disease. Projects in the Pu laboratory include:

a. Gene regulatory mechanisms in cardiac development and disease. We study transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that coordinate heart and vascular system development and homeostasis, and their dysregulation in cardiovascular disease.

b. Regulation of cell fate in heart and vascular development and regeneration. We use lineage tracing and single cell omics to dissect cardiovascular lineage hierarchies and lineage choices in development and disease.

c. Human microphysiological models cardiac disease. By integrating stem cell biology and bioengineering, we create “disease-in-a-dish” and organoid disease models, which are used to dissect cardiac disease mechanisms and to develop novel therapies.

d. Genetic therapies for cardiac disease, including AAV gene therapy and oligonucleotide therapy. Using human and mouse model systems, we dissect mechanisms of heart disease and use the knowledge gained to guide development of new, targeted therapies.